FACEBOOK HOPES TO LAUNCH AN INTERNET SATELLITE IN EARLY IN 2019
(ATHENA WOULD PROVIDE PROVIDE BROADBAND TO UNDERSERVED AREAS)
Facebook has cooperated on internet satellite initiatives
(with less-than-ideal results), but there's been precious little word of plans
to make its own satellite beyond high-level promises. Now, however, there's
something tangible. Both publicly disclosed FCC emails and a direct
confirmation to Wired have revealed that Facebook aims to launch an internally
developed satellite, Athena, sometime in early 2019. A spokesperson didn't
share details, but the shell organization Facebook used to keep filings hidden
(PointView Tech LLC) talked about offering broadband to "unserved and
underserved" areas with a low Earth orbit satellite on a "limited
duration" mission.
This is likely just an experiment rather than a full-fledged
deployment. Low Earth orbit satellite internet would require a large cloud of
satellites to provide significant coverage, similar to SpaceX's planned
Starlink network. However, it shows that the company isn't done building its
own high-altitude hardware now that it has stopped work on its internet drone.
Whatever Athena shapes up to be, Facebook's motives likely
remain the same. As with Alphabet's Loon internet balloons, there's a strong
commercial incentive to connect underserved regions. Even if Facebook doesn't
charge a thing for access, it could benefit by adding millions of new users
who'd view ads and use services (including through Instagram and WhatsApp). It
would also look good to investors, as Facebook would keep its audience growing
at a time when there's seemingly no more room to grow.
SUCH A INTERESTING FACT
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